Thursday 7 July 2011

New Designers

Well what a week New Designers was! Such excitement but so exhausting!
The Monday and Tuesday were spent setting up our stand. The tutors had a vague plan of who’s work would be where and we got started. The plan was to hang one or two of my larger fabrics with them flowing onto plinths and then have the remainder of the fabrics folded on the plinths.
I tried one arrangement and left it to think about overnight.

On the Tuesday I came back to it and after a discussion with my tutor, we decided it was not right. She suggested having my fabrics folded as this would show them off more for their intended use: interiors.

The Wednesday was all about judging, press, awards, and celebrating! Laura Davenport from the Textile Design course at Huddersfield won an award, the ‘New Designers Wilkinson Award for Commercial Surface Design’. We were all so happy for her! The award meant it brought lots of people to our stand and so perhaps helped the rest of us gain more interest? Who knows but it was all wonderfully exciting.

Laura receiving her award


The whole New Designers event was sponsored by Absolut vodka, so yummy drinks for us on awards night!
After New Designers had closed there was an after party at a local bar for all exhibitors. We popped along for a few drinks and a dance after a quick bite to eat.
Getting the tube home again.
(L-R: Sophie, Claire, Laura, Melody, Khadijah)
Thursday was the first main day in terms of visitors. This is when New Designers opened to the public. Friday was busy too with employers, press and a lot of school groups. Saturday was the quietest with less press/employers around.
I made some excellent contacts and received some wonderful feedback which I found very encouraging. I have followed up all my contacts today so fingers crossed I hear from them soon! Wish me luck!